As of this writing, the Los Angeles Rams will have 18 unrestricted free agents after the 2025 season ends. This includes eight starters from across the spectrum of ages and experience.
While re-signing these players is on the table, like with what the team did with Alaric Jackson and Tutu Atwell in 2025, the Rams could also use the franchise tag to keep someone on the team for another season with a fully guaranteed deal. It also extends the deadline for the two sides to agree on a long-term contract.
There are several options for the franchise tag next offseason if the Rams don’t sign them to an extension, but Pro Football Network’s Brandon Austin believes the best candidate is running back Kyren Williams.
With the running back franchise tag projected to be around $13 to $14 million, the Rams could view tagging Williams as a cost-effective way to retain a top-tier back while they evaluate their long-term roster plans.
Williams is in the final year of his deal after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He’s also scored 26 touchdowns since 2023. He and the Rams are negotiating a new deal this year, but that doesn’t mean the two sides will agree on a number before the end of the season.
So, if the Rams choose to wait until after the 2025 season to try and extend Williams, they could also opt for the franchise tag to keep the cap hit relatively small compared to what it could cost to pay Williams over a three- to four-year deal.
The Rams aren’t big users of the franchise tag, though. They didn’t use it on Jackson a year ago before they signed him to an extension and general manager Les Snead has only used it twice during his tenure: in 2016 and 2017 for cornerback Trumaine Johnson and in 2018 for defensive back LaMarcus Joyner.
Using the tag on a running back isn’t uncommon, though. In 2023, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard all earned the franchise tag. A year later, they all played for different teams on multi-year deals. Before them, the Pittsburgh Steelers placed the tag on Le’Veon Bell twice (2017 and 2018) before he took the 2018 season off and signed with the New York Jets in 2019.
Williams could get expensive, so the franchise tag is a way to insulate the Rams from a potentially bad deal, much like the ill-fated Todd Gurley contract in 2018 that lasted just two years. With younger running backs like Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter behind Williams, another year of that trio might be the best path if the Rams aren’t sold on their starer.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst predicts Rams will franchise tag this star in 2026
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
